Light for ladies handbag

ABSTRACT

A lighting unit for placement in a ladies handbag embodying a support structure that carries a battery, a light bulb housing and an off-on switch. The entire unit is self-contained and is secured within the handbag adjacent one of the upper open ends thereof so as to be readily accessible for replacement of the battery and/or the light bulb and which will in no way interfere with the normal contents contained within the handbag. With the switch in &#39;&#39;&#39;&#39;on&#39;&#39;&#39;&#39; position the light from the light bulb housing will be directed into the interior of the handbag to illuminate the same. The light bulb housing may either be integral with the support structure or made as a separate entity hinged thereto and formed to be swung from it inside position to an outside position over and across the adjacent top open end of the handbag should it be desired to direct the light on an exterior object such as the key-receiving opening of a door lock. The conductors connecting the battery, light bulb and switch are all contained within the support structure.

United States Patent [72] Inventor Maria Wisniewski 819 68th St., Brooklyn, N.Y. 11220 [21] Appl. No. 883,753 [22] Filed Dec. 10, 1969 [45] Patented Sept. 28, 1971 [54] LIGHT FOR LADIES HANDBAG 3 Claims, 5 Drawing Figs.

[52] [1.8. CI 240/6-45 P [51] Int. Cl A45c 15/06 [50] Field of Search 240/645 P [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,263,463 11/1941 Johnston 240/645 P UX 2,300,108 10/1942 Curie 240/645 P 2,465,029 3/1949 Meggs 240/645 P 2,540,470 2/ i951 Baugh 240/645 2,647,201 7/1953 Contento 240/645 Primary Examiner-Louis R. Prince Assistant Examiner- Frederick Shoon Attorney-Carl Miller ABSTRACT: A lighting unit for placement in a ladies handbag embodying a support structure that carries a battery, a light bulb housing and an off-on switch. The entire unit is self-contained and is secured within the handbag adjacent one of the upper open ends thereof so as to be readily accessible for replacement of the battery and/or the light bulb and which will in no way interfere with the normal contents contained within the handbag. with the switch in on" position the light from the light bulb housing will be directed into the interior of the handbag to illuminate the same. The light bulb housing may either be integral with the support structure or made as a separate entity hinged thereto and formed to be swung from it inside position to an outside position over and across the adjacent top open end of the handbag should it be desired to direct the light on an exterior object such as the key-receiving opening of a door lock. The conductors connecting the battery, light bulb and switch are all contained within the support structure.

LIGHT FOR LADIES HANDBAG This invention relates to a device for illuminating the inside of a ladies handbag and has for its primary object the provision of a single unit support structure arranged to carry a battery, a light bulb housing and a switch conveniently mounted within the handbag, bag, the support structure being adjacent one of the top open ends thereof such that the light will illuminate the interior of the handbag whereby the lady can readily observe the interior of the handbag to locate articles therein.

Another object of this invention is to provide the support structure as a single elongated rigid unit formed to mount the battery at one side thereof, the switch at the other side thereof and with the light housing centrally thereof between the battery and switch.

Yet another object of this invention is to provide all the conductors connecting the battery, light bulb and switch within the support unit.

A further object of this invention is to form the light housing containing the light bulb as an integral part of the support unit immovable with respect thereto and formed such as to direct the light into the interior of the handbag to illuminate the same.

A still further object of this invention is to form the light housing separate from the support unit and hingedly mounted thereon and so formed as to be swung into two operative positions; (1) to direct the light into the interior of the handbag and (2) to be swung over a top open end of the handbag to direct the light onto an exterior object.

Another object of this invention is to form the support unit and its associated parts of an extremely simple design which is inexpensive to manufacture, that is efficient in operation, that is not bulky and which will not distort nor take up any necessary room in the handbag, and which not only may be easily installed in a variety of forms and shapes of ladies handbag, but also in valises, suit cases, attache cases, brief cases, cabinets, desk drawers as well as in a variety of other places, mobile or stationary, wherever it is desired to illuminate the inside of an article container.

Funher objects of the invention will appear as the description proceeds.

To the accomplishment of the above and relatedobjects, my invention may be embodied in the form illustrated in the accompanying drawings, attention being called to the fact, however, that the drawings are illustrative only, and that changes may be made in the specific construction illustrated and described with the scope of the appended claims.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the handbag light unit mounted in position within the handbag.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the handbag light unit.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a modified form of handbag light unit wherein the light is swingable to a position outside of the hand bag.

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary plan view of the modified handbag light unit mounted within one of the handbag frames.

FIG. 5 is a detail cross-sectional view taken on line 5-5, FIG. 4, showing in dotted lines the light housing swung to an exterior position.

Referring in detail to the drawings, FIGS. 1 and 2, there is shown a ladies handbag which is provided with a pair of inverted U-shaped frame sections l2, l4, pivoted together at their lower terminal ends as at 15. The body of the handbag is formed of any desired material such as leather, fabric, plastic, etc. and the frame sections 12, 14 may be of metal or plastic. Frame section 14 is of slightly larger dimensions so as to receive therein the other frame section 12 when the handbag 10 is closed. Shown centrally at the top of the frame sections 12,14, respectively, are the coacting snap fasteners 17, 18 of the type well known for locking the handbag closed. The manner of securing the body of the handbag 10 to the frame sections l2, I4 is well known in the art and forms no part of the present invention. Each frame section is provided with a handle 20.

Mounted inside of the handbag 10 is a light unit 24. It is to be noted, see FIG. I, that the light unit 24 is located inside of and adjacent to the top of frame section 12 which fits into frame section 14 when both are closed. Referring to FIG. 2, the light unit 24 is seen to consist of an elongated back support 26 and extending centrally from the front face 27 of the back support 26 is a light bulb housing 28 provided at its left side, viewing FIG. 2, is a cylindrical socket 30 designed to receive one end of a pencil-type battery 3|. Also extending from the front face 27 of the back support and adjacent its left end, viewing FIG. 2, and in opposed axial relation to socket 30 is a cylindrical socket 32 for receiving the other end of battery 3l. Between sockets 30 and 32 there is secured to the back support 26, a spring clip 33 for fixedly holding the battery 31 in its axial operative position. The back support 26, light bulb housing 28, and sockets 30 32 are preferably molded as a single unit of a suitable plastic material.

At the right side of the light bulb housing 28 viewing FIG. 2 is a slide operated Off-On switch 34. The switch 34 consists of a boxlike housing 36 having a front wall 37 which encases longitudinally spaced fastener lugs 39, 40, and contact support lugs 42, 43 which respectively carry metal contact plates 45, 46. Screws 48, 49 secure the switch housing 36 to lugs 39, 40. The inner end of the switch housing 36 is seen to abut the light bulb housing 28. The fastener lugs and contact support lugs are also integrally molded to the back support 26. Provided in front wall 37 is a horizontal longitudinal slot 50 for a pin element 5] to the outer end of which is secured a plastic button 52 shaped to be finger engaged and manipulated to move the pin element 51 to the right or left slidable within the slot 50. The inner end of pin element 5l carries a spring metal contact bar 54 that seats on contact plate 45 when in OFF position. the pin element 5| being at the inner end of slot 50. When moved to the right and to the other end of slot 50, the contact bar 54 will seat on contact plate 46 to close the circuit (to be hereinafter described), placing the switch in its ON position. The slot 50 is of such a length that the ends thereof provide limit stops for the OFF and ON positions.

The light bulb housing 28 is open at its bottom and shaped to direct the light into the interior of the handbag. Suitably mounted inside of the light bulb housing 28 and on the top wall thereof are a pair of light bulb sockets 54, 55 of the type adapted to have fitted thereinto flash light bulbs 56, 57. While two such light bulbs areshown utilized it is to be understood that only one light bulb may be employed if so desired.

Axially mounted within battery socket 30 on the bottom thereof is a metal contact lug 60 to be engaged by the cylindrical projecting contact 61 extending from the end of battery 3]. Disposed on the bottom of the other battery socket 32 is a circular contact plate 64 suitably fixed therein and to which is secured one (the the inner) end of a compression coil spring 65, the other (outer) end of which engages the metal bottom end of battery 3] and also serves to urge the battery to the right such that its contact 61 will always abut contact lug 60. The inside diameter of battery sockets 30, 32 is considerably larger than the diameter of battery 31 so as to enable placement of the battery therewithin and between the arms of the support spring clip 33.

The conductors electrically connecting the battery 31, light bulb sockets 54, 55 and the switch contact plates 45, 46 are suitably molded within the plastic body of the light unit where expedient. The conductors may also lie in suitable grooves or passages provided therefore in the plastic body of the light unit. As seen in FIG. 2, conductor 68 connects battery contact plate 64 with switch contact plate 46; conductor 70 connects battery contact lug 60 with the corresponding center base terminals of the light bulb sockets 54, 55; and conductor 72 is connected by branch conductors 73, 74 to the threaded walls of the light bulb sockets and to switch contact plate 45 it being noted that the light bulb sockets 54, 55 are thus connected in parallel so that if one bulb should burn out the other bulb would still be operative when the switch is ON. If desired the light bulb sockets 54, 55 may be connected in series in the manner well known in the art.

The back support 26 is provided with openings 76 for fastener elements (not shown) such as rivets for securing the same either to frame section 12 or directly to the material forming the body of the handbag. Other means such as an adhesive may be employed for securing the back support 26 to the handbag. In any event, the light unit 24 to function for its intended purpose must be mounted at the top of the handbag at the one side thereof in order to illuminate the interior of the handbag when opened. The light switch, as is seen is readily accessible and requires only a finger engagement with button 52 to slide the same either to ON or OFF position. FIG. 1 shows the switch in ON position with the light shining downwardly into the handbag.

The light unit 24 is not limited to a handbag having frame sections such as 12, 14; as the same is readily adaptable for use in any type of handbag bag such for example handbags employing tubular frame sections that abut each other in the same plane; handbags having abutting rigid boxlike separate upper sections or handbags employing a closure flap. Regardless of the type of handbag, the light unit 24 can be fixed mounted in any desired manner inside of and at the top of the handbag to light up the interior of the same.

The modification of the handbag light unit shown in FIGS 3, 4 and differs from that shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 in having the light bulb housing swingable from an inside position within the handbag to an outside position thereof so as to illuminate exterior objects as for example the key slot of a door lock. This form of construction is shown utilized with a handbag 80 having inverted U-shaped frame sections 82, 83 similar to the frame sections 12, 14 of FIG. 1, and hinged or pivoted together as at 84.

The light unit 86 is fonned similar to the light unit 24 as to the back support 88, the end battery socket (not shown) similar to battery socket 32 FIG 2, the spring clip for the battery (not shown) similar to spring clip 33 and the sliding switch 90 and its associated parts. The inner battery socket 92 comparable to battery socket 32, FIG. 2, is formed separate and integral with the back support 88 and in spaced relation to the inner wall 94 of the switch housing of switch 90. The space between back wall 95 of inner battery socket 92 and the inner wall 94 of the switch 90 housing is preferably at the center of the back support 88, see FIG. 4.

Disposed on the upper side of frame section 82 is a bracket 98 having an upper horizontal arm section 99, a vertical depending arm section 100 integral with the inner end of the horizontal arm section 99, and an inclined outwardly directed lower arm section 101 integral with the lower end of the vertical arm section 100. The width of at least the lower inclined arm section is such as to loosely fit between the battery socket wall 95 and the inner wall 94 of the switch 90 housing, see FIGS. 4 and 5. The outer end of the upper horizontal arm section 99 of bracket 98 has a hinge connection 102 with a hinge plate 104 fixedly secured to the top of frame section 82, see FIG. 5. Mounted on the lower arm section 101 is a bulb socket 106 for receiving a flash light bulb 107, and enclosing the same is a light housing 108 open at its bottom. An elongated coiled dual conductor wire 110 encases conductors 112, 113. Conductor 112 connects contact lug 60-a in battery socket 92 to the the threaded part of bulb socket, and conductor 113 connects the center base terminal of bulb socket 106 to the switch contact plate 45 (see FIG. 2), but not shown in FIG. 4. In FIG. 5 there is shown provided in back support 88 grooves 115 and openings 116 for the conductors The finger button 52a when moved to the right will close the switch to light bulb 107.

It will be apparent from FIG. 5 that when the handbag 80 is opened and the switch operated to ON position that the interior of the handbag will be illuminated by the bulb 107 being turned on. At the same time should it be desired to illuminate an object exterior of the handbag such, for example, as the key slot 120 of a door lock 122, see FIG. 3, the bracket 98 is swung upwardly and down in the direction of the arrow, see FIG. 5, so that horizontal arm section 99 will lie against the vertical side of frame section 82, as shown by the dotted line position. In this position the light from the bulb can be directed to the key slot 120 directly from the handbag which can be held in one hand while the other hand can place a key into the key slot to open the door The length of the precoiled dual conductor wire 1 10 is such as to accommodate the placement of the bracket 98 in its outside position, as shown by the dotted lines in FIG. 5. Provided in the edge of the top of frame section 82 is a notch 124 for the conductor wire 1 10, and also formed centrally in the top of the opposite frame section 83 is a slot 126 to accommodate the bracket 98 as to permit closing of the handbag whether the light housing and bracket are within or outside of the handbag, see FIG. 3. Pairs of conventional snap fasteners 128, 129 are provided on the top of the frame sections one pair on each side of slot 126 for locking the frame sections 82, 83 together in the manner well known.

FIG. 3 clearly illustrates the bracket and light carried thereby positioned exteriorly of the hand bag 80 with the handbag closed. With the light bulb turned on it is apparent that the light therefrom emanating from light housing 108 may be directed in any direction for any desired variety of purposes, such as locating a dropped object, reading a street number or other printed matter, and in fact wherever a portable light is desired. For illuminating the interior of the handbag the bracket and light are in the position shown in FIG. 5 as described above.

As with the light unit 24 of FIGS 1 and 2, the light unit 86 of FIGS. 3, 4 and 5 may be utilized in the manner disclosed with other constructional forms of handbags, attache cases, etc.

While certain novel features of my invention have been shown and described and are pointed out in the annexed claims, it will be understood that various omissions, substitutions and changes in the forms and details of the device illustrated and in its operation can be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention.

Iclaim:

1. For use with a handbag having a pair of frame sections hingedly connected together to be moved to closed and open position on corresponding closing and opening of the handbag, a light unit for the handbag comprising:

a. an elongated base support mounted within said handbag adjacent the top of one frame section;

b. a light housing mounted on said base support including;

1. at least one bulb-receiving socket for a light bulb fixedly positioned therein, 2. a light bulb in said bulb socket, c. a battery-receiving and support means carried by said base support at one side of said light housing; d. a switch mechanism carried by said base support at the other side of said light housing, and e. conductors electrically connecting said battery, bulbreceiving socket and switch mechanism, whereby with the switch mechanism in ON position, the circuit will be closed to operate the light bulb, such that the same in cooperation with the light housing will illuminate the interior of the handbag,

wherein said battery-receiving and support means comprises:

f. a first battery-receiving socket adjacent one end of the base support,

g. a second batteryreceiving socket longitudinally spaced from and coaxial with the first battery-receiving socket,

h. a contact lug centrally positioned in the bottom wall of one battery-receiving socket,

i. a contact slate carrying a compression coil spring seated on the bottom wall of the other battery-receiving socket, and

j. a spring leaf supporting clip secured to the base support substantially centrally between said battery-receiving sockets for supporting a battery coaxial with both said sockets,

whereby with a battery held in position by said spring clip, the coil spring in said other battery-receiving socket will engage the contact base of. the battery to maintain the battery top contact plug in contact with the contact lug in said one battery-receiving socket to supply electric current through said conductors to said switch mechanism and light bulb socket,

wherein the switch mechanism comprises: k. separate contact poles carried by the base support, 1. a housing cover for the contact poles, rn. removable fastener elements detachedly securing the housing cover to the base support, n. each contact pole having a conductor connected thereto, 0. a movable contact member for engaging both contact poles to close the circuit, and

a finger manipulated member extending outward of said housing cover carrying said movable contact member and guidedly movable by finger engagement relative to said housing cover to operate the switch mechanism selectively to OFF or ON position,

wherein:

. said base support and battery-receiving housing are forming as a single integral unit of plastic material,

. a pair of like plastic material support lugs integral with said base support each carrying a switch contact pole,

. a pair of like plastic material fastener lugs integral with said base support to which the removable fastener elements of said switch housing cover are connected, and

. said light housing being separate from said base support including 1. means hingedly mounting the light housing on said one frame section of the handbag, whereby said light housing may be selectively moved from a position inside of the handbag to a position exterior of said handbag to direct the light from the bulb therein to an external object,

wherein: u. said movable light housing is located between said second battery-receiving socket and the inner end wall of said switch housing,

v. said conductors connected to the bulb socket within said light housing constituting a freely movable unit section of a length sufficient to accommodate the change in position of the light housing from within the handbag to exterior of the handbag,

wherein said means hingedly connecting the light housing to its associated frame section comprises:

w. a bracket member comprising;

1. an upper horizontal arm, 2. an integral vertical depending arm, and 3. an integral lower downwardly inclined ann,

x. a hinge plate fixedly secured to said associated frame section,

y. means hingedly connecting said upper horizontal arm to said hinge plate,

2. said light housing being mounted on said lower inclined arm,

aa. said light bulb socket within said light housing being attached to said lower inclined arm, and

bb. said freely movable unit section of the conductors connected to said light bulb socket being disposed between said frame section and said lower inclined arm when said bracket member is in its position disposing the light housing interiorly of the handbag.

2. The light unit of claim 1 a. said bracket member and light housing carried thereby when swung to its exterior position is retained in such position by abutting engagement of the upper horizontal arm with said associated frame section, and

b. said freely movable unit section of said conductors will overly said associated frame section in the zone normally covered by said upper horizontal arm.

3. The light unit of claim 1 wherein:

a. said other frame section of the handbag is centrally recessed to accommodate said bracket member whereby said handbag may be closed either with the light housing located interiorly or exteriorly of the handbag. 

1. For use with a handbag having a pair of frame sections hingedly connected together to be moved to closed and open position on corresponding closing and opening of the handbag, a light unit for the handbag comprising: a. an elongated base support mounted within said handbag adjacent the top of one frame section; b. a light housing mounted on said base support including;
 1. at least one bulb-receiving socket for a light bulb fixedly positioned therein,
 2. a light bulb in said bulb socket, c. a battery-receiving and support means carried by said base support at one side of said light housing; d. a switch mechanism carried by said base support at the other side of said light housing, and e. conductors electrically connecting said battery, bulbreceiving socket and switch mechanism, whereby with the switch mechanism in ON position, the circuit will be closed to operate the light bulb, such that the same in cooperation with the light housing will illuminate the interior of the handbag, wherein said battery-receiving and support means comprises: f. a first battery-receiving socket adjacent one end of the base support, g. a second battery-receiving socket longitudinally spaced from and coaxial with the first battery-receiving socket, h. a contact lug centrally positioned in the bottom wall of one battery-receiving socket, i. a contact slate carrying a compression coil spring seated on the bottom wall of the other battery-receiving socket, and j. a spring leaf supporting clip secured to the base support substantially centrally between said battery-receiving sockets for supporting a battery coaxial with both said sockets, whereby with a battery held in position by said spring clip, the coil spring in said other battery-receiving socket will engage the contact base of the battery to maintain the battery top contact plug in contact with the contact lug in said one batteryreceiving socket to supply electric current through said conductors to said switch mechanism and light bulb socket, wherein the switch mechanism comprises: k. separate contact poles carried by the base support, l. a housing cover for the contact poles, m. removable fastener elements detachedly securing the housing cover to the base support, n. each contact pole having a conductor connected thereto, o. a movable contact member for engaging both contact poles to close the circuit, and p. a finger manipulated member extending outward of said housing cover carrying said movable contact member and guidedly movable by finger engagement relative to said housing cover to operate the switch mechanism selectively to OFF or ON position, wherein: q. said base support and battery-receiving housing are formed as a single integral unit of plastic material, r. a pair of like plastic material support lugs integral with said base support each carrying a switch contact pole, s. a pair of like plastic material fastener lugs integral with said base support to which the removable fastener elements of said switch housing cover are connected, and t. said light housing being separate from said base support including
 1. means hingedly mounting the light housing on said one frame section of the handbag, whereby said light housing may be selectively moved from a position inside of the handbag to a position exterior of said handbag to direct the light from the bulb therEin to an external object, wherein: u. said movable light housing is located between said second battery-receiving socket and the inner end wall of said switch housing, v. said conductors connected to the bulb socket within said light housing constituting a freely movable unit section of a length sufficient to accommodate the change in position of the light housing from within the handbag to exterior of the handbag, wherein said means hingedly connecting the light housing to its associated frame section comprises: w. a bracket member comprising;
 1. an upper horizontal arm,
 2. an integral vertical depending arm, and
 3. an integral lower downwardly inclined arm, x. a hinge plate fixedly secured to said associated frame section, y. means hingedly connecting said upper horizontal arm to said hinge plate, z. said light housing being mounted on said lower inclined arm, aa. said light bulb socket within said light housing being attached to said lower inclined arm, and bb. said freely movable unit section of the conductors connected to said light bulb socket being disposed between said frame section and said lower inclined arm when said bracket member is in its position disposing the light housing interiorly of the handbag.
 2. an integral vertical depending arm, and
 2. The light unit of claim 1 wherein: a. said bracket member and light housing carried thereby when swung to its exterior position is retained in such position by abutting engagement of the upper horizontal arm with said associated frame section, and b. said freely movable unit section of said conductors will overly said associated frame section in the zone normally covered by said upper horizontal arm.
 2. a light bulb in said bulb socket, c. a battery-receiving and support means carried by said base support at one side of said light housing; d. a switch mechanism carried by said base support at the other side of said light housing, and e. conductors electrically connecting said battery, bulb-receiving socket and switch mechanism, whereby with the switch mechanism in ON position, the circuit will be closed to operate the light bulb, such that the same in cooperation with the light housing will illuminate the interior of the handbag, wherein said battery-receiving and support means comprises: f. a first battery-receiving socket adjacent one end of the base support, g. a second battery-receiving socket longitudinally spaced from and coaxial with the first battery-receiving socket, h. a contact lug centrally positioned in the bottom wall of one battery-receiving socket, i. a contact slate carrying a compression coil spring seated on the bottom wall of the other battery-receiving socket, and j. a spring leaf supporting clip secured to the base support substantially centrally between said battery-receiving sockets for supporting a battery coaxial with both said sockets, whereby with a battery held in position by said spring clip, the coil spring in said other battery-receiving socket will engage the contact base of the battery to maintain the battery top contact plug in contact with the contact lug in said one battery-receiving socket to supply electric current through said conductors to said switch mechanism and light bulb socket, wherein the switch mechanism comprises: k. separate contact poles carried by the base support, l. a housing cover for the contact poles, m. removable fastener elements detachedly securing the housing cover to the base support, n. each contact pole having a conductor connected thereto, o. a movable contact member for engaging both contact poles to close the circuit, and p. a finger manipulated member extending outward of said housing cover carrying said movable contact member and guidedly movable by finger engagement relative to said housing cover to operate the switch mechanism selectively to OFF or ON position, wherein: q. said base support and battery-receiving housing are formed as a single integral unit of plastic material, r. a pair of like plastic material support lugs integral with said base support each carrying a switch contact pole, s. a pair of like plastic material fastener lugs integral with said base support to which the removable fastener elements of said switch housing cover are connected, and t. said light housing being separate from said base support including
 3. an integral lower downwardly inclined arm, x. a hinge plate fixedly secured to said associated frame section, y. means hingedly connecting said upper horizontal arm to said hinge plate, z. said light housing being mounted on said lower inclined arm, aa. said light bulb socket within said light housing being attached to said lower inclined arm, and bb. said freely movable unit section of the conductors connected to said light bulb socket being disposed between said frame section and said lower inclined arm when said bracket member is in its position disposing the light housing interiorly of the handbag.
 3. The light unit of claim 1 wherein: a. said other frame section of the handbag is centrally recessed to accommodate said bracket member whereby said handbag may be closed either with the light housing located interiorly or exteriorly of the handbag. 